Schutztruppe

The Schutztruppe were African colonial soldiers who served in the Imperial German Army from 1891 to 1918. They were raised from Germany's colonies in present-day Togo, Namibia, Cameroon, and Tanzania, and the predominantly-native enlisted men were led into battle by white officers. The Schutztruppe played a major role in the African theatre of World War I, especially under the leadership of Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck during the German East Africa campaign, fighting against the Allies until Germany's surrender in November 1918. Over 80,000 Africans served in the Schutztruppe during Germany's colonial wars in Africa.